Weather and Atmosphere

Eye wall of hurricane
Sources: NOAA National Weather Service Jetstream and NOAAWatch

The term weather describes the state of the atmosphere at a given point in time and geographic location. Weather forecasts provide an estimate of the conditions we expect to experience in the near future and are based on statistical models of similar conditions from previous weather events. Temperature, amount and form of airborne moisture, cloudiness, and strength of wind are all different components of our weather. Severe weather events such as tornadoes, tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes and extremes of heat or cold can be costly and deadly. Knowing how to recognize threatening weather conditions, where to get reliable information, and how to respond to this information can help save lives. In addition to weather, NOAA also monitors and forecasts other atmospheric processes that effect our planet such as ozone levels, changing climate conditions, and variables outside Earth's atmosphere such as solar winds.

The collections in this thematic area provide educational resources that introduce these concepts, provide activities and data for exploring weather and atmospheric sciences, and link to emerging research on these topics.